By Tierra Smith
Kanye West said it 11 years ago: “I know somebody paying child support for one of his kids… And on her 18th birthday he found out it wasn’t his.”
The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure attempted Monday to enact legislation that would expand the time frame for men who are identified as the father to disavow the child and support payments.
By Quint Forgey
BATON ROUGE — Lawmakers on the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee on Monday unanimously approved the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s budget for the coming fiscal year.
It details a nearly $1.5 billion, three-year effort to pay for and execute coastal protection and restoration efforts.
Read the story in StMaryNow.com/Banner-Tribune & Daily-Review
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE — The Senate Judiciary Committee on criminal matters unanimously passed Senate Bill 33, criminalizing the sale and related handling of aborted baby organs or body parts. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
By D.B. Narveson
By Justin DiCharia
BATON ROUGE — Critics, including State Treasurer John Kennedy, have claimed Louisiana can substantially reduce its budget deficit by targeting “waste” in dedicated funds and state contracts, but the numbers don’t support his claim.
Implicit in these complaints are there is sufficient savings, if diverted, to take care of education and healthcare needs, which are nearly always targeted when budget cuts become necessary.
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE —The John J. Hainkel Senate committee room was awash in red clothing Thursday where the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee approved on split votes bills that increase the state’s minimum wage and expand the equal pay for equal work law and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
Read the story in The Town Talk
By Samuel Carter Karlin
BATON ROUGE — The head of the Louisiana Revenue Estimating Conference, who is serving on a task force dedicated to systemic changes in the state’s tax code, warns that income taxes may have be on the table in 2017 if the Legislature is serious about fiscal reform.
By Quint Forgey
BATON ROUGE — The House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill Wednesday increasing the mandatory waiting period before receiving an abortion from one day to three days.
House Bill 386 requires women seeking an abortion to undergo required pre-abortion procedures — including an ultrasound and the receipt of various informational materials — 72 hours prior to the operation.
Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge, wants to take the handcuffs off higher education’s ability to raise tuition without legislative approval.
By Samuel Carter Karlin
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana students and families could pay more for colleges and universities in the future if the ability to raise tuition transfers from the Legislature to school governing boards as proposed in two bills before the Legislature.
These proposed measures would take the schools off their traditional legislative leash.
By Noah Bryant Ballard
BATON ROUGE — A Winnsboro lawmaker is teaming with the Louisiana Department of Education to place new restrictions on child care providers operating without a license.
Rep. Steve Pylant, R-Winnsboro, brought House Bill 197 before the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice Wednesday that would to provide criminal penalties for unlawful operation of day care centers, specifically those caring for six or more children.
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 